Gosling-heads, it’s time to put your fingerless gloves on. It’s time to put two sets of sunnies on. In fact, it’s even time to wear a white faux-fur coat and leave your shirt at home. For Ryan Gosling will perform “I’m Just Ken” at the 2024 Oscars.
“I’m Just Ken” is the 1980s-inspired power ballad from Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster Barbie. In this anthem, Ken bemoans that he will always be a monument to blonde fragility, a man hidden in Barbie’s shadow. This song was written by Mark Ronson and originally performed by Gosling himself.
On January 23, 2024, “I’m Just Ken” was nominated for the Oscars’ Best Original Song award. While each Best Original Song is typically performed at the Oscars, there’s been speculation if Gosling would take centre stage.
Since the Oscars announced all of its 2024 nominees, it’s been accused of playing favourites. This is because Christopher Nolan’s masculine Oppenheimer was nominated for 13 awards. Meanwhile, Barbie was nominated for just eight awards. What’s more, Gerwig didn’t receive a Best Director nomination, and Margot Robbie didn’t receive a Best Actress nomination for playing this film’s titular Barbie.
When this news first dropped, Gosling critiqued the Oscars for snubbing Gerwig and Robbie. This is despite the fact that he’s up for a Best Supporting Actor award.
“There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie: The two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film,” Gosling said. “No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit, and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.”
“Against all odds, with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture, and they made history. Their work should be recognised along with the other very deserving nominees.”
So, will Gosling repeat these concerns at the 2024 Oscars, make his rendition of “I’m Just Ken” a message? Or will he stop himself from rocking the boat? For now, answers to such questions remain a mystery.
The 2024 Oscars will air live in Australia on Channel 7 and 7 Plus on Monday, March 11.
Related: Is the Age of Barbenheimer Over? The Full List of 2024’s Oscar Nominations
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